Voting Now Open For the Next State Parks License Plate

AUSTIN – The bluebonnet became a common sight both on and off Texas roadways when a conservation license plate featuring the iconic wildflower was introduced 12 years ago. Since then, this specialty plate has generated more than $1.3 million in critical funding for Texas state parks and there are currently 6,400 on the road.

Since wildflowers don’t speak to every park supporter, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials plan to introduce a second license plate and are now calling on the public to help select a new design that will help bring in essential funding for the more than 90 state parks.

“The goal is to bring in new people that may want to support state parks, but who may not be comfortable putting a wildflower on their ¾ ton pickup truck,” says Thomas Wilhelm, program coordinator for state parks.

The three designs that are in the running for being on the new plate are a campfire, a nighttime tent scene, and hikers. The voting will run until August 31. To vote, visit www.texasstateparks.org/vote and cast a ballot.

The winning plate will be announced in September and will be available in spring 2014 for vehicles, trailers and motorcycles online or through local tax offices. The plate will cost $30 a year in addition to regular vehicle registration fees, of which $22 will go directly to fund Texas state parks.

The new license plate will join other available designs including the horned lizard, bluebonnet, largemouth bass, and white-tailed deer which benefit other TPWD programs. To date, the specialty plates have raised more than $6 million dollars for conservation.